Gaskets are vital for every engine, ensuring a perfect seal between engine surfaces, ensuring that oil, coolant, or combustion gases stay exactly where they are supposed to be. If a gasket fails, its consequences can be serious: loss of fluids, overheating, reduced compression, or even complete engine breakdowns.

Therefore, gasket leakages cannot just be ignored and treated as insignificant. They are a sign that something is seriously wrong with your engine. If you want to keep your engines healthy and reliable, understanding what causes gasket failures, recognizing this, and knowing how to prevent them is imperative to know.

That’s why we are here. As engine part specialists, Wilmink Engine Parts offers extensive expertise and a comprehensive range of high-quality gaskets from trusted brands such as Elring, Victor Reinz, Corteco, Glaser, Cometic Gasket and our own Wilmink Private label.

What is gasket leakage?

Gasket leakages occur when there is a problem with the sealing between two engine components. This results in fluids or gases leaking or mixing, which can lead to oil or coolant loss, or combustion gases leaking between cylinders. Ultimately, your engine will suffer from performance issues or complete engine damage.

In the case of head gasket leakages, two things might happen: combustion gases enter the cooling system or oil passages, or coolant or oil seeps into the combustion chamber. Not only do these issues lower your engine’s performance, but they can also needlessly increase emissions and fuel consumption. In more serious cases, the engine might overheat or lose compression entirely.

Main causes of gasket leakages

Gasket failures are often attributed to incorrect installations, improper maintenance, or component deformation. One of the most common causes of gasket failure is an uneven sealing surface on the cylinder head or engine block, as a result of overheating. Even the slightest distortion can prevent a proper seal.

Other frequent causes include:

• Incorrect torquing, meaning that either bolts have been applied too loosely or too tightly, or old bolts have been reused. These issues can lead to uneven pressure on the gaskets, resulting in leaks.
  
• Thermal stress, as overheating caused by coolant loss or blocked passages can warp the cylinder head, damaging both the surface and the gasket.
  
• Chemical degradation also plays a role as the use of unapproved coolants or liquid sealants can break down gasket materials or coatings.

Recognizing the symptoms of gasket leakages

Being able to identify a gasket leakage early on, can be the difference between a minor repair or a major rebuild. If you know where to look, you will be able to spot a blown head gasket. A failure where the gasket between the cylinder head and engine block is defect and allows fluids or gases to leak between the two.

Common symptoms include:

• White smoke from the exhaust: this is caused by coolant entering the combustion chamber and then vaporizing.
  
• Milky or creamy residue under the oil filler cap is a possible indication that coolant has mixed with engine oil, but can also be caused by condensation in the engine at short trips when the engine stays relatively cold.
  
• Coolant loss without visible leaks: this is often accompanied by bubbling in the radiator or expansion tank and in the worst case overflow of coolant.
  
• Engine overheating during normal operation: this is caused by disrupted cooling efficiency.
  
• Rough idling or reduced engine performance: this is due to loss of compression or fluid contamination.
  
• Unusual pressure in the cooling system: this is a sign that combustion gases are entering the coolant passages.

Damage analysis and common failures

Our experts at Wilmink Engine Parts mention that several typical gasket failure patterns can be identified:

• Gas blows between cylinders: this occurs when combustion gases escape past the gasket. This can be caused by poor combustion and detonation or cylinder head distortion.
  
• Burned sealing webs or scorched coatings: this is a visible sign of extreme heat or insufficient contact pressure.
  
• Swelling of gasket material: this is very often caused by coolant contamination, where improper coolant mixtures or leaks allow fluids to attack and damage the gasket coatings.
  
• Blocked oil passages: this means that when applying extra sealant in pressure oil areas, it can obstruct oil flow and significantly shorten gasket life.

Modern gasket designs are self-sealing and do not require additional sealing compounds unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer.

Proper installation and maintenance

Preventing gasket leakages begins before the engine installation, with thorough preparation and quality parts. All sealing surfaces must be clean, dry, and most importantly free of any oil, grease, or debris. Even the tiniest amount of residue can impact the gasket’s ability to form a quality seal.

In addition to this, using new head bolts for every installation is imperative. Note that old bolts can stretch and lose clamping force, leading to uneven pressure distribution. Each engine has a specific order and torque to ensure equal compression. Ignoring these specifications can lead to warping or localized leaks. These specifications can be found with the product, or when unsure contact our specialists for advice.

Additionally, gasket quality and material are crucial for reliable sealing. Using the wrong type or a lower-quality gasket can lead to failure. Always choose durable, heat-resistant gaskets with OE quality that are designed for the specific application.

The Gasket Solutions of Wilmink Engine Parts

At Wilmink Engine Parts, quality and reliability come first. We offer a comprehensive gasket range that covers every type of engine, from passenger cars to industrial applications. We supply OE brands such as Elring, Victor Reinz, Corteco, Glaser, and Cometic Gasket, as well as our own Wilmink Engine Parts Private Label. These gaskets are produced using high-quality materials and coatings designed to withstand extreme temperatures, pressures, and chemical exposure.

Next to that, Wilmink’s specialists provide technical support and installation guidance, ensuring customers receive the right product advice and assistance when ordering engine parts. For any type of gasket or seal, Wilmink’s range offers solutions for every situation.

Click here for the full gasket range